Cutting heads and agricultural seeder implements formed therewith

ABSTRACT

A soil cutting head for a mount of an agricultural implement includes a head having a leading extremity for cutting into soil ahead of the mount, and a fertilizer tube extending through the head to a discharge end for discharging a stream of fertilizer into the soil from the head.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to agricultural implements and, moreparticularly, to a soil opener for an agricultural seeder implement forsimultaneously cutting and depositing fertilizer into soil.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In an agricultural seeder implement, seeds are conveyed by an air streamfrom a hopper to a number of seeding elements, carried by a frame, thatinject the seed into furrows cut into the ground by openers incorporatedwith the seeding elements. During the seeding process, fertilizerbanding is customary, which is the concurrent application of afertilizer adjacent to but spaced from the applied seeds so that oncegermination has occurred the roots can access the fertilizer.Customarily, the seed is applied to the furrow first followed by thefertilizer, which inherently results in the application of thefertilizer above the applied seeds. Until the applied fertilizer isdissolved and carried down into the soil to the planted seeds throughthe application of water, whether from rain or watering, the ability ofthe roots of the planted seeds to reach the fertilizer is inherentlylimited. Furthermore, conventional openers of agricultural seederimplements can fail to sufficiently disrupt and aerate the soil duringfurrow formation, especially when the soil is hard or compacted, whichcan inherently delay the ability of the roots of the germinated seedsfrom taking root, and slow the distribution of the fertilizer into thesoil.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the principle of the invention, an agricultural implementfor working soil across which the agricultural implement travels or istowed includes a mount, a head having a trailing extremity mounted onthe mount and a leading extremity for cutting into soil ahead of themount, and a fertilizer tube extending through the head to a dischargeend for discharging a stream of fertilizer into the soil from the head.A shield is mounted on the mount above the head. The shield spans alength of the fertilizer tube above the head for protecting the lengthof the fertilizer tube from soil and rocks and agricultural cropmaterial. In a first embodiment, the discharge end of the fertilizertube is proximate to the leading extremity for discharging the stream offertilizer from the leading extremity. The head further includes opposedupper and lower ends, and a leading bulk that extends from the upper endto the leading extremity proximate to the lower end. In the firstembodiment, the fertilizer tube extends through the leading bulk fromthe upper end to the leading extremity. In the first embodiment, theleading extremity includes opposed first and second sides and a knifeextending outwardly from one of the first and second sides, and thefertilizer tube extends through the knife to the discharge opening fordischarging the stream of fertilizer into the soil from the knife. Theknife is swept back from the leading extremity. In a second embodiment,the discharge end of the fertilizer tube is proximate to the trailingextremity for discharging the stream of fertilizer from the trailingextremity. In the second embodiment, the head further includes atrailing bulk that extends along the lower end of the head from theleading extremity to the trailing extremity, and the fertilizer tubeextends through the leading bulk from the upper end to the leadingextremity and through the lower bulk from the leading extremity to thetrailing extremity.

According to the principle of the invention, an agricultural implementfor working soil across which the agricultural implement travels or istowed includes a mount, a head having a trailing extremity mounted onthe mount and a leading extremity including opposed first and secondsides, the leading extremity for cutting into soil ahead of the mount, afirst fertilizer tube extending through the head to a first dischargeend for discharging a first stream of fertilizer into the soil from thehead relative to the first side of the leading extremity, and a secondfertilizer tube extending through the head to a second discharge end fordischarging a second stream of fertilizer into the soil from the headrelative to the second side of the leading extremity. The head furtherincludes opposed upper and lower ends, and a leading bulk extending fromthe upper end to the leading extremity proximate to the lower end. Thefirst and second fertilizer tubes extend through the leading bulk fromthe upper end to the leading extremity. A shield mounted on the mountabove the upper end of the head spans lengths of the respective firstand second fertilizer tubes above the upper end of the head forprotecting the lengths of the respective first and second fertilizertubes from soil and rocks and agricultural crop material.

According to the principle of the invention, an agricultural implementfor working soil across which the agricultural implement travels or istowed includes a mount, a head having a trailing extremity mounted onthe mount and a leading extremity including opposed first and secondsides, a first knife extending outwardly from the first side of theleading extremity, and a second knife extending outwardly from thesecond side of the leading extremity, the leading extremity for cuttinginto soil ahead of the mount, a first fertilizer tube extending throughthe head to a first discharge end at the first knife for discharging afirst stream of fertilizer into the soil from the first knife, and asecond fertilizer tube extending through the head to a second dischargeend at the second knife for discharging a second stream of fertilizerinto the soil from the second knife. The first and second knives areswept back from the leading extremity. The head further includes opposedupper and lower ends, a leading bulk that extends from the upper end tothe leading extremity proximate to the lower end, and the first andsecond fertilizer tubes extend through the leading bulk from the upperend to the respective first and second knives of the leading extremity.A shield mounted on the mount above the upper end of the head spanslengths of the respective first and second fertilizer tubes above theupper end of the head for protecting the lengths of the respective firstand second fertilizer tubes from soil and rocks and agricultural cropmaterial.

According to the principle of the invention, a soil cutting head for amount of an agricultural implement includes a head having a trailingextremity configured to be mounted on the mount of the agriculturalimplement and a leading extremity for cutting into soil, and afertilizer tube extending through the head to a discharge end fordischarging a stream of fertilizer into the soil from the head. In afirst embodiment, the discharge end of the fertilizer tube is proximateto the leading extremity for discharging the stream of fertilizer fromthe leading extremity. The head further includes opposed upper and lowerends, and a leading bulk that extends from the upper end to the leadingextremity proximate to the lower end. In the first embodiment, thefertilizer tube extends through the leading bulk from the upper end tothe leading extremity. In the first embodiment, the leading extremityincludes opposed first and second sides and a knife extending outwardlyfrom one of the first and second sides, and the fertilizer tube extendsthrough the knife to the discharge opening for discharging the stream offertilizer into the soil from the knife. The knife is swept back fromthe leading extremity. In a second embodiment, the discharge end of thefertilizer tube is proximate to the trailing extremity for dischargingthe stream of fertilizer from the trailing extremity. The head furtherincludes a lower bulk that extends along the lower end of the head fromthe leading extremity to the trailing extremity. In the secondembodiment, the fertilizer tube extends through the leading bulk fromthe upper end to the leading extremity and through the lower bulk fromthe leading extremity to the trailing extremity.

According to the principle of the invention, a soil cutting head for amount of an agricultural implement includes a head having a trailingextremity configured to be mounted on the mount of the agriculturalimplement and a leading extremity including opposed first and secondsides, the leading extremity for cutting into soil, a first fertilizertube extending through the head to a first discharge end for discharginga first stream of fertilizer into the soil from the head relative to thefirst side of the leading extremity, and a second fertilizer tubeextending through the head to a second discharge end for discharging asecond stream of fertilizer into the soil from the head relative to thesecond side of the leading extremity. The head further includes opposedupper and lower ends, a leading bulk that extends from the upper end tothe leading extremity proximate to the lower end, and the first andsecond fertilizer tubes extend through the leading bulk from the upperend to the leading extremity.

According to the principle of the invention, a soil cutting head for amount of an agricultural implement includes a head having a trailingextremity configured to be mounted on the mount of the agriculturalimplement and a leading extremity including opposed first and secondsides, a first knife extending outwardly from the first side of theleading extremity, and a second knife extending outwardly from thesecond side of the leading extremity, the leading extremity for cuttinginto soil, a first fertilizer tube extending through the head to a firstdischarge end at the first knife for discharging a first stream offertilizer into the soil from the first knife, and a second fertilizertube extending through the head to a second discharge end at the secondknife for discharging a second stream of fertilizer into the soil fromthe second knife. The first and second knives are swept back from theleading extremity. The head further includes opposed upper and lowerends, a leading bulk that extends from the upper end to the leadingextremity proximate to the lower end, and the first and secondfertilizer tubes extend through the leading bulk from the upper end tothe respective first and second knives of the leading extremity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of an agricultural implement forworking soil across which the agricultural implement travels or istowed, the agricultural implement includes a mount having a leading end,a head having a trailing extremity mounted on the leading end of themount and a leading extremity for cutting into soil ahead of the mount,a fertilizer tube extending through the head to a discharge end at theleading extremity of the head for discharging a stream of fertilizerinto the soil from the leading extremity of the head, and a shieldmounted on the mount above the head that spans a length of thefertilizer tube above the upper end of the head for protecting thelength of the fertilizer tube from soil and rocks and agricultural cropmaterial, the length of the fertilizer tube extending through the shieldbeing depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 2 is a bottom rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,portions of the fertilizer tube extending through the shield and thehead being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, theportion of the fertilizer tube extending through the head being depictedin phantom line;

FIG. 4 is partially exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.1, the portion of the fertilizer tube extending through the head beingdepicted in phantom line;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary top perspective views illustrating thelength of the fertilizer tube extending through the shield;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the portions ofthe fertilizer tube extending through the shield and the head beingdepicted in phantom line;

FIG. 8 is a top front right side perspective view of the head firstillustrated in FIG. 1, the portion of the fertilizer tube extendingthrough the head being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 9 is a top rear right side perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 8, the portion of the fertilizer tube extending through the headbeing depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 10 is a top front left side perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 8, the portion of the fertilizer tube extending through the headbeing depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 11 is a top rear left side perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 8, the portion of the fertilizer tube extending through the headbeing depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 12 is a bottom rear right side perspective view of the embodimentof FIG. 8, the portion of the fertilizer tube extending through the headbeing depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 13 is a bottom rear left side perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 8, the portion of the fertilizer tube extending through the headbeing depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 14 is a right side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 8, theportion of the fertilizer tube extending through the head being depictedin phantom line;

FIG. 15 is a left side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 8, theportion of the fertilizer tube extending through the head being depictedin phantom line;

FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 8, theportion of the fertilizer tube extending through the head being depictedin phantom line;

FIG. 17 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 8, theportion of the fertilizer tube extending through the head being depictedin phantom line;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 8, the portion ofthe fertilizer tube extending through the head being depicted in phantomline;

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 8, the portionof the fertilizer tube extending through the head being depicted inphantom line;

FIG. 20 is a section view taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of anagricultural implement for working soil across which the agriculturalimplement travels or is towed, the agricultural implement includes amount having a leading end, a head having a trailing extremity mountedon the leading end of the mount and a leading extremity for cutting intosoil ahead of the mount, a first fertilizer tube extending through thehead to a first discharge end at the leading extremity of the head fordischarging a stream of fertilizer into the soil from a first side ofthe leading extremity of the head, a second fertilizer tube extendingthrough the head to a second discharge end at the leading extremity ofthe head for discharging a stream of fertilizer into the soil from asecond side of the leading extremity of the head, and a shield mountedon the mount above the head that spans lengths of the respective firstand second fertilizer tubes above the head for protecting the lengths ofthe respective first and second fertilizer tubes from soil and rocks andagricultural crop material, the lengths of the first and secondfertilizer tubes extending through the shield and the head beingdepicted in phantom line;

FIG. 22 is a bottom rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 21,the portions of the first and second fertilizer tubes extending throughthe shield and the head being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 23 is a top front right side perspective view of the head of theembodiment of FIG. 21, the portions of the first and second fertilizertubes extending through the head being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 24 is a top rear right side perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 23, the portions of the first and second fertilizer tubes extendingthrough the head being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 25 is a top front left side perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 23, the portions of the first and second fertilizer tubes extendingthrough the head being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 26 is a top rear left side perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 23, the portions of the first and second fertilizer tubes extendingthrough the head being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 27 is a bottom rear right side perspective view of the embodimentof FIG. 23, the portions of the first and second fertilizer tubesextending through the head being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 28 is a bottom rear left side perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 23, the portions of the first and second fertilizer tubes extendingthrough the head being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 29 is a right side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 23, theportions of the first and second fertilizer tubes extending through thehead being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 30 is a left side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 23, theportions of the first and second fertilizer tubes extending through thehead being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 31 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 23, theportions of the first and second fertilizer tubes extending through thehead being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 32 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 23, theportions of the first and second fertilizer tubes extending through thehead being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 33 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 23, the portions ofthe first and second fertilizer tubes extending through the head beingdepicted in phantom line;

FIG. 34 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 23, the portionsof the first and second fertilizer tubes extending through the headbeing depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 35 is a fragmented side elevation view of yet another embodiment ofan agricultural implement for working soil across which the agriculturalimplement travels or is towed, the agricultural implement includes amount having a leading end, a head having a trailing extremity mountedon the leading end of the mount and a leading extremity for cutting intosoil ahead of the mount, a first fertilizer tube extending through thehead to a first discharge end at the leading extremity of the head fordischarging a stream of fertilizer into the soil from the leadingextremity of the head, a second fertilizer tube extending through thehead to a second discharge end at the trailing extremity of the head fordischarging a stream of fertilizer into the soil from the trailingextremity of the head, and a shield mounted on the mount above the headthat spans lengths of the respective first and second fertilizer tubesabove the head for protecting the lengths of the respective first andsecond fertilizer tubes from soil and rocks and agricultural cropmaterial, the lengths of the first and second fertilizer tubes extendingthrough the shield and the head being depicted in phantom line;

FIG. 36 is a top front left side perspective view of the head of theembodiment of FIG. 35, the portions of the first and second fertilizertubes extending through the head being depicted in phantom line; and

FIG. 37 is a top rear left side perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 35, the portions of the first and second fertilizer tubes extendingthrough the head being depicted in phantom line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicatecorresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is firstdirected to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7 in which there is seen an agriculturalseeder implement 50 constructed and arranged in accordance with theprinciple of the invention. Implement 50 includes seed boot 51 andopener 53. Opener 53 is connected to seed boot 51. Opener 53 isconfigured to be connected to a shank of a plow frame for suspendingimplement 50 from the shank, which, when advanced in the direction ofarrowed line A leading with opening 53, enables implement 50 to work thesoil for sowing a crop. Opener 53 is a chisel, being a non-moving andnon-rotating opener for being advanced by a tractor for cutting a furrowin the ground at a chosen depth from the surface of the ground, and seedboot 51 connected to opener 53 is for receiving a stream of air-drivenseed and depositing the stream of air-driven seed into the furrow formedby opener 53. Opener 53 is an assembly of mount 60 and head 61.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 in relevant part, mount 60 is stout, strong,robust, and of substantial construction being formed of steel or othermetal having inherently strong, impact resistant, and resilient materialcharacteristics. Plate 60 includes leading end or extremity 64, trailingend or extremity 65, upright bracket 66, and upright handle 67. Bracket66 is between trailing end 65 and handle 67, and handle 67 is betweenbracket 66 and leading end 64. Head 61 is connected to leading end 64 ofmount 60, and seed boot 51 is connected to trailing end 65 of mountbehind or otherwise to the rear of head 61. Bracket 66 is configured tobe connected removably to the shank of the plow frame by suitablenut-and-bolt fasteners that extend through appropriate holes therein.Bracket 66 and arm 67 encircle opening 68 that provides clearance forfacilitating the bolting of bracket 66 to the shank of the plow frame.

Seed boot 51 is stout, strong, robust, and of substantial constructionbeing formed of steel or other metal having inherently strong, impactresistant, and resilient material characteristics. Seed boot 51 trailsor is otherwise behind head 61 and is in-line with head 61, and isconnected removably to mount 60 with spring pins 70 that extend throughappropriate holes therein. Spring pins 70 act as self-retainingfasteners releasably or otherwise removably connecting seed boot 51 tomount 60. An upright conduit 72 proximate to rear end of seed boot 51 isfor guiding a stream of air-driven seed into seed boot 151, whichconveys the stream of air-driven seed forwardly toward forward end 74 ofseed boot 51 to outlet 75 of seed boot 51 behind head 61 as shown inFIG. 2 through which the seeds are ejected into the furrow behind head61. In this example, a fertilizer tube 80 is connected to rear end 73 ofseed boot 51, and extends forwardly along the underside of seed boot 51in FIG. 2 toward forward end 74 to an outlet 81 behind or otherwise tothe rear of outlet 75. A chosen fertilizer is continuously conveyed froma fertilizer hopper to fertilizer tube 80, and fertilizer tube 80 is forconveying the fertilizer therethrough for deposition downwardly into thefurrow through outlet 81 to the rear of outlet 75 through which theseeds are deposited into the furrow.

Referring in relevant part to FIGS. 8-20, head 61 is a cutting head, astout, strong, robust, body made of cast iron in this example or otherselected metal material having inherently strong, impact resistant, andresilient material characteristics, and is configured to be mounted onleading end 64 of mount 60 in FIGS. 1-6. Head 61 has leading extremity90, which is a wedge-like cutting extremity for cutting into the groundor planting surface, namely, the soil into which seeds are to beplanted, an opposite trailing extremity 91 configured to be connected toleading extremity 64 of mount 60 of opener 53, upper end 92 and anopposite lower end 93, and forward end 95 that extends downwardly andforwardly from upper end 92 toward lower end 93 to leading extremity 90.Forward end 95 has a leading edge 95A that extends downwardly andforwardly from upper end 92 to leading extremity 90 for cutting into thesoil. Forward end 95 and leading edge 95A of head 61 concurrentlyincline downwardly from upper end 92 to leading extremity 90. Lower end93 has lower surface 93A. Lower end 93 and lower surface 93A arehorizontal and extend from trailing extremity 91 to leading extremity90.

Leading extremity 90 includes opposed sides 100 and 101, and knife 110.Knife 110, a wedge-like body, extends laterally outward from side 100 todistal end 111, which is flat. Knife 110 has a leading edge 114, whichis a soil cutting edge that extends from side 100 to outermost corner116 of distal end 111, and a trailing end 115 that extends from side 100to intermediate corner 117 of distal end 111. Knife 110 enlarges fromleading edge 114 to trailing end 115 along the length of knife 110 fromside 100 to distal end 111. Knife 110 is swept back from leadingextremity 90 to distal end 111, and distal end 111 faces outwardly fromside 100 and is angled rearwardly from leading extremity 90. Distal end111 intersects leading edge 114 at outermost corner 116 of knife 110,and distal end 111 intersects trailing end 115 at intermediate corner117 of knife 110. Intermediate corner 117 of knife 110 is betweenoutermost corner 116 and side 100. As best seen in FIG. 17, trailing end115 has an upright width W that extends from lower end 118 of knife 110to upper end 119 of knife 110. Intermediate corner 117 forms a part ofdistal end 111 and extends from lower end 118 of knife 110 to upper end119 of knife 110. Lower end 118 of knife 110, which is flat, extendsforwardly and horizontally from trailing end 115 to leading edge 114,and upper end 119 of knife 110 extends forwardly and inclines downwardlyto leading edge 114.

Slot 120 extends into head 61 through upper end 92 from trailingextremity 91 to a leading end of slot 120 inboard of forward end 95 andthrough trailing extremity 91 from upper end 92 to a lower end of slot120 inboard of lower end 93. In FIG. 20, the leading end of slot 120 inhead 61 is defined by forward end surface 121, and the lower end of slot120 in head 61 is defined by lower end surface 122. Forward end surface121 is an inner surface proximate to the forward end of head 61, isparallel relative to leading edge 95A, and extends downwardly from upperend 92 to lower end surface 122 proximate to leading extremity 90proximate to lower end 93. Forward end surface 121 inclines downwardlyfrom upper end 92 to proximate to leading extremity 90 concurrent withleading edge 95A. Lower end surface 122 is an inner surface, is parallelrelative to lower end 93, and extends horizontally from trailingextremity 91 to forward end surface 121 proximate to leading extremity90.

In FIG. 20, head 61 further includes a leading bulk 130 and a lower bulk140. Leading bulk 130, a thickness of the substance of the material ofhead 61, extends upright along forward end 95 of head 61 from upper end92 to leading extremity 90 between forward end surface 121 and leadingedge 95A and between the opposed sides of head 61. Lower bulk 132, athickness of the substance of the material of head 61, extendshorizontally along the lower end 93 of head 61 from trailing extremity91 to leading extremity 90 between lower end surface 122 and lowersurface 93A and between the opposed sides of head 61.

With continuing reference in relevant part to FIGS. 8-20, head 61further includes fertilizer tube 140. Fertilizer tube 140 is elongateand includes inlet 141 for being connected to a source of a fertilizer,and an outlet 142. Fertilizer tube 140 extends from inlet 141 andthrough head 61 to outlet 142. Fertilizer tube 140 is for guiding astream of fertilizer from inlet 141 and through head 61 to outlet 142for discharging the stream of fertilizer into the soil from head 61. Thematerial of head 61 is molded around fertilizer tube 140.

Outlet 142 of fertilizer tube 140 is located at leading extremity 90 fordischarging the stream of fertilizer outwardly from leading extremity90, relative to side 100 or otherwise along side 100 of leadingextremity 90. More specifically, outlet 142 is located at knife 110 fordischarging the stream of fertilizer outwardly from knife 110 of leadingextremity 90. Outlet 142 extends across intermediate corner 117 fromtrailing end 115 to distal end 111 between lower and upper ends 118 and119 of knife 110 for discharging the stream of fertilizer outwardlyrelative to side 100 or otherwise along side 100 of leading extremity 90and, more specifically, outwardly between lower and upper ends 118 and119 of knife 110 concurrently from distal end 111 and trailing end 115of knife 110 and from intermediate corner 117. In this embodiment,fertilizer tube 140 extends from inlet 141 and downwardly throughleading bulk 130 from upper end 92 to leading extremity 90 and outturnsthrough knife 110 from side 100 to outlet 142 at intermediate corner 117of distal end 111 and trailing end 115.

Slot 120 is for accepting leading end 64 of mount 60. Trailing extremity91 is connected removably to leading end 64 of mount 60 with spring pin70 that extends through appropriate holes therein, when leading end 64is applied to slot 120 in FIGS. 1-3 and 5. Spring pin 70 removablyconnecting trailing extremity 91 of head 61 to leading end 64 of mount60 acts a as a self-retaining fastener releasably or otherwise removablyconnecting head 61 to leading end 64 of mount 60. Head 61 extendsupright from lower end 93 to upper end 92, fertilizer tube 140 extendsupright from upper end 92 ahead of handle 67, and head 61 extendsrearwardly from leading extremity 90 to trailing extremity 91 proximateto forward end 74 of seed boot 51, when head 61 is connected to leadingend 64 of mount 60. The described connection of head 61 to mount 60 is anon-destructive, removable and impermanent connection, which means thatthe connection between head 61 and mount 60 does not require thedestruction of the connection, such as by cutting, in order to removehead 61 from mount 60. the various bars 53 from frame 52. To remove head61 from mount 60 need only requires withdrawing spring pin 70 and thenwithdrawing head 61 from leading end 64 of mount 60.

In use, implement 50 is suspended from a shank by connecting bracket 66to the shank, and the shank is connected to a plow frame that is pulledor otherwise advanced by a tractor for pulling or otherwise advancingimplement 50 in the direction of arrowed line A in FIGS. 1-3 and 7 at achosen depth through the surface of the soil into which seeds are to beplanted leading with leading extremity 90 of head 61 that cuts a furrowin the soil. Leading extremity 90 and leading edge 95A and knife 110concurrently cut into the soil to form the furrow when implement 50 isadvanced leading extremity 90 first through the soil into which seedsare to be planted. Knife 110 extends laterally outward from side 100cuts into the soil leading edge 114 first for cutting and disrupting thesoil along side 100 of leading extremity 90. The swept backconfiguration of knife 110 enables knife 110 to cut into the soilleading with leading edge 114 when implement 50 is advanced through thesoil. The enlargement of knife 110 from leading edge 114 to trailing end115 enables knife 110 to aggressively disrupt the soil along side 100 ofleading extremity 90 for loosening the soil and forming the furrow.Seeds are conventionally conveyed by an air stream from a seed hopper toconduit 72, which conveys the stream of air-driven seeds into seed boot51. The stream of air-driven seeds pass through seed boot 51 anddownwardly into the furrow cut by head 61 through seed boot outlet 75 inthe direction of arrowed line B in FIGS. 2 and 3. As implement 50 ispulled through and works the ground, the seed is continually depositeddownwardly into the furrow through opening 75 of seed boot 51.

At the same time, a chosen fertilizer is continuously conveyed from afertilizer hopper to inlet 140 of fertilizer tube 140, which conveys thefertilizer from inlet 141 and through head 61 and outwardly into thesoil from head 61 through outlet 142 in the direction of arrowed line Cin FIGS. 1 and 7 ahead of the seeds deposited into the furrow throughoutlet 75 trailing head 61. In one aspect, outlet 142 is located atleading extremity 90 for discharging the stream of fertilizer outwardlyinto the soil in the direction of arrowed line C from leading extremity90 relative to side 100 or otherwise along side 100 thereof. In anotheraspect, outlet 142 is located at knife 110 for discharging the stream offertilizer outwardly into the soil from knife 110 in the direction ofarrowed line C outboard of side 100. In yet another aspect, outlet 142is between lower and upper ends 118 and 119 of knife 110 and extendsacross intermediate corner 117 from trailing end 115 to distal 111 fordischarging the stream of fertilizer outwardly into the soil outboard ofside 100 in the direction of arrowed line C from proximate to distal end111, namely, from intermediate corner 117 and from trailing end 115 anddistal 111 along either side of intermediate corner 117. The directionof fertilizer deposition from outlet 142 in the direction of arrowedline C is a rearward direction from distal and trailing ends 111 and 115of knife 110 into the soil.

The enlargement of knife 110 from leading edge 114 to trailing end 115aggressively disrupts the soil along side 100 of leading extremity 90for not only forming the furrow but also loosening the soil to enablethe loosened soil to accept the fertilizer deposited therein from distalend 111 of knife 110. The application of the fertilizer from head 61into the soil ahead of the seeds deposited into the furrow throughopening 75 of seed boot 51 trailing or otherwise behind head 61 allowsthe soil to fold over the applied fertilizer ahead of the depositedseeds for inhibiting the deposited seeds from being laid directly atopthe fertilizer and becoming chemically damaged as a result, whichreduces seed loss and promotes seed access to the fertilizer appliedfrom head 61 when the seeds germinate. Outlet 142 of fertilizer tube 140is between lower and upper ends 118 and 119 at intermediate corner 117between outermost corner 116 and side 100 of leading extremity 90 wheredistal and trailing ends 111 and 115 intersect, which enables knife 110to shield outlet 142 from oncoming soil and crop material for preventingoutlet 142 from becoming clogged or blocked. A chosen fertilizer is alsocontinuously conveyed from a fertilizer hopper to fertilizer tube 80,which conveys the fertilizer therethrough to outlet 81 for applicationtherethrough downwardly into the furrow following the seed depositioninto the furrow from opening 75 of seed boot 51.

In FIGS. 1-6, implement 50 further includes a shield 150. Shield 150 isstout, strong, robust, and of substantial construction being formed ofsteel or other metal having inherently strong, impact resistant, andresilient material characteristics. In FIGS. 1-3, 5, and 6, shield 150is mounted on mount 60 above upper end 92 of head 61, and spans a lengthL of fertilizer tube 140 above upper end 92 of head 91 in front ofhandle 67 for protecting the length L of head 61 in front of handle 61from soil and rocks and agricultural crop material. In this example,shield 150 is a generally U-shaped member including opposed, parallelside walls 151 and 152 that extend outwardly from either side of endwall 153. The free ends of side walls 151 and 152 are connected toeither side of handle 67, and side walls 151 and 152 extend forwardlytherefrom to end wall 153 forming a channel 155 ahead of handle 67though which length L of fertilizer tube 140 extends. In this example,the free ends of side walls 151 and 152 are connected removably tohandle 67 by suitable nut-and-bolt fasteners 157 that extend throughappropriate holes therein.

The above discussion is limited to the operation of one implement 50.Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that a plowframe can incorporate ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or perhaps fifty ormore such concurrently operating implements 50 to provide the concurrentseeding and fertilizing of numerous furrows.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 21 and 22 in which there is seenanother embodiment of an agricultural seeder implement 200 constructedand arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention. Incommon with implement 50, implement 200 shares seed boot 51, mount 60,and shield 150 discussed in detail above in the embodiment denotedgenerally at 50, in addition to an alternate embodiment of a headdenoted generally at 210. Head 210 and mount 60 form an alternateembodiment of an opener 201, when head 210 is mounted on leading end 64of mount 60 in FIGS. 21 and 22 in the same way head 61 is mounted toleading end 64 of mount 60 discussed above in connection with implement50.

Referring in relevant part to FIGS. 23-34, head 210 is identical to head61 in that head 210 shares leading extremity 90 including sides 100 and101 and knife 110, trailing extremity 91, upper end 92, lower end 93,lower surface 93A, forward end 95, leading edge 95A, slot 120 foraccepting leading end 64 of mount 60, leading bulk 130, lower bulk 132,and fertilizer tube 140. In addition to knife 110, leading extremity 90of head 210 further includes knife 211. Knife 211 forms a part ofleading extremity 90 and is opposite to and is the mirror image of knife110. Knife 120 extends laterally outward from side 101 to distal end111′, which is flat. Knife 211 is identical to knife 110, and thereference characters used to describe knife 110 are also used inconnection with knife 211 and include prime (“′”) symbols for clarity.Knife 211 has leading edge 114′, which is a soil cutting edge, thatextends from side 101 to outermost corner 116′ of distal end 111′, andtrailing end 115′ that extends from side 101 to intermediate corner 117′of distal end 111′. Knife 211 enlarges from leading edge 114′ totrailing end 115′ along the length of knife 211 from side 101 to distalend 111′. Knife 211 is swept back from leading extremity 90 to distalend 111′, and distal end 111′ faces outwardly from side 101 and isangled rearwardly from leading extremity 90. Distal end 111′ intersectsleading edge 114′ at outermost corner 116′ of knife 211, and distal end111′ intersects trailing end 115′ at intermediate corner 117′ of knife211. Intermediate corner 117′ of knife 211, which is a part of distalend 111′, is between outermost corner 116′ and side 101. As best seen inFIG. 32, trailing end 115′ has upright width W′ that extends from lowerend 118′ to upper end 119′. Intermediate corner 117′ extends from lowerend 118′ to upper end 119′. Lower end 118′, which is flat, extendsforwardly and horizontally from trailing end 115 to leading edge 114′,and upper end 119′ extends forwardly and inclines downwardly to leadingedge 114′.

In addition to fertilizer tube 140, head 210 further includes fertilizertube 220. Fertilizer tube 220 is elongate and includes inlet 221 forbeing connected to a source of a fertilizer, and an outlet 222.Fertilizer tube 220 extends from inlet 221 and through head 61 to outlet222. Fertilizer tube 220 is for guiding a stream of fertilizer frominlet 221 and through head 61 to outlet 222 for discharging the streamof fertilizer into the soil from head 61. The material of head 210 ismolded around fertilizer tubes 140 and 220.

Outlet 222 of fertilizer tube 220 is located at leading extremity 90 fordischarging the stream of fertilizer outwardly from leading extremity90, relative to side 101 or otherwise along side 101 of leadingextremity 90. More specifically, outlet 222 is located at knife 111 fordischarging the stream of fertilizer outwardly from knife 111 of leadingextremity 90. Outlet 222 extends across intermediate corner 117′ fromtrailing end 115′ to distal end 111′ between lower and upper ends 118′and 119′ of knife 111 for discharging the stream of fertilizer outwardlyrelative to side 101 or otherwise along side 101 of leading extremity 90and, more specifically, outwardly between lower and upper ends 118′ and119′ of knife 111 concurrently from distal end 111′ and trailing end115′ of knife 111 and from intermediate corner 117′. In this embodiment,fertilizer tube 220 extends from inlet 221 and downwardly throughleading bulk 130 from upper end 92 to leading extremity 90 and outturnsthrough knife 111 from side 101 to outlet 222 at intermediate corner117′ of distal end 111′ and trailing end 115′.

In use, head 210 is mounted on leading end 64 of mount 60 as inimplement 50, implement 50 is suspended from a shank by connectingbracket 66 to the shank, and the shank is connected to a plow frame thatis pulled or otherwise advanced by a tractor for pulling or otherwiseadvancing implement 200 in the direction of arrowed line A in FIGS. 21and 22 at a chosen depth through the surface of the soil into whichseeds are to be planted leading with leading extremity 90 of head 61that cuts a furrow in the soil. Leading extremity 90 and knives 110 and211 concurrently cut into the soil to form the furrow when implement 200is advanced leading extremity 90 first through the soil into which seedsare to be planted. Knives 110 and 211 extending laterally outward fromthe respective sides 100 and 101 cut into the soil leading edges 114 and114″ first for concurrently cutting and disrupting the soil along therespective sides 100 and 101 of leading extremity 90. The swept backconfiguration of knives 110 and 211 enables knives 110 and 211 toconcurrently cut into the soil leading with the respective leading edges114 and 114′ when implement 200 is advanced through the soil. Theenlargement of knife 110 from leading edge 114 to trailing end 115enables knife 110 to aggressively disrupt the soil along side 100 ofleading extremity 90 for loosening the soil along side 100 of leadingextremity 90 and forming the furrow. The same enlargement of knife 211from leading edge 114′ to trailing end 115′ enables knife 211 toaggressively disrupt the soil along side 101 of leading extremity 90 forloosening the soil along side 101 of leading extremity 90 and formingthe furrow. Seeds are conventionally conveyed by an air stream from aseed hopper to conduit 72, which conveys the stream of air-driven seedsinto seed boot 51. The stream of air-driven seeds pass through seed boot51 and downwardly into the furrow cut by head 210 through seed bootoutlet 75 in the direction of arrowed line B in FIG. 22. As implement200 is pulled through and works the ground, the seed is continuallydeposited downwardly into the furrow through opening 75 of seed boot 51.A chosen fertilizer is continuously conveyed from a fertilizer hopper toinlet 140 of fertilizer tube 140, which conveys the fertilizer frominlet 141 and through head 61 and outwardly into the soil from head 61through outlet 142 in the direction of arrowed line C in FIG. 22 aheadof the seeds deposited into the furrow through outlet 75 trailing head61 as discussed above in conjunction with implement 50. At the sametime, a chosen fertilizer is continuously conveyed from a fertilizerhopper to inlet 221 of fertilizer tube 220, which conveys the fertilizerfrom inlet 221 and through head 61 and outwardly into the soil from head61 through outlet 222 in the direction of arrowed line C′ in FIG. 22ahead of the seeds deposited into the furrow through outlet 75 trailinghead 61.

Regarding knife 211 and fertilizer tube 220, outlet 142′ is located atleading extremity 90 for discharging the stream of fertilizer outwardlyinto the soil in the direction of arrowed line C′ from leading extremity90, relative to side 101 or otherwise along side 101. In another aspect,outlet 142′ is located at knife 211 for discharging the stream offertilizer outwardly relative to side 101 or otherwise along side 101into the soil from knife 211 in the direction of arrowed line C′ in FIG.22. In yet another aspect, outlet 142′ is between lower and upper ends118′ and 119′ of knife 211 and extends across intermediate corner 117′from trailing end 115′ to distal 111′ for discharging the stream offertilizer outwardly into the soil in the direction of arrowed line C′from proximate to distal end 111′, namely, from intermediate corner 117′and from trailing end 115′ and distal 111′ along either side ofintermediate corner 117′. The direction of fertilizer deposition fromoutlet 142′ in the direction of arrowed line C′ is a rearward directionfrom distal and trailing ends 111′ and 115′ of knife 211 into the soilrelative to side 101 or otherwise along side 101. The enlargement ofknife 211 from leading edge 114′ to trailing end 115′ aggressivelydisrupts the soil along side 101 of leading extremity 90 for not onlyforming the furrow but also loosening the soil to enable the loosenedsoil to accept the fertilizer deposited therein from distal end 111′ ofknife 211. Again, the application of the fertilizer from head 61 intothe soil ahead of the seeds deposited into the furrow through opening 75of seed boot 51 trailing or otherwise behind head 61 allows the soil tofold over the applied fertilizer ahead of the deposited seeds forinhibiting the deposited seeds from being laid directly atop thefertilizer and becoming chemically damaged as a result, which reducesseed loss and promotes seed access to the fertilizer applied from head61 when the seeds germinate. Outlet 222 of fertilizer tube 220 isbetween lower and upper ends 118′ and 119′ at intermediate corner 117′between outermost corner 116′ and side 101 of leading extremity 90 wheredistal and trailing ends 111′ and 115′ intersect, which enables knife211 to shield outlet 222 from oncoming soil and crop material forpreventing outlet 222 from becoming clogged or blocked.

As in implement 50, in implement 200 a chosen fertilizer is alsocontinuously conveyed from a fertilizer hopper to fertilizer tube 80,which conveys the fertilizer therethrough to outlet 81 for applicationtherethrough downwardly into the furrow following the seed depositioninto the furrow from opening 75 of seed boot 51.

In FIGS. 21 and 22, shield 150 is mounted on mount 60 above upper end 92of head 211, and spans lengths L and L′ of the respective fertilizertubes 140 and 220 above upper end 92 of head 91 in front of handle 67 ofmount 60 for protecting the respective lengths L and L′ of fertilizertubes 140 and 220 in front of handle 61 from soil and rocks andagricultural crop material. As described above in conjunction withimplement 50, shield 150, a generally U-shaped member, includes opposed,parallel side walls 151 and 152 that extend outwardly from either sideof end wall 153. Free ends of side walls 151 and 152 are connected toeither side of handle 67, and side walls 151 and 152 extend forwardlytherefrom to end wall 153 forming a channel 155 ahead of handle 67though which lengths L and L′ of the respective fertilizer tubes 140 and220 extend. As in implement 50, in implement 200 the free ends of sidewalls 151 and 152 are connected removably to handle 67 by suitablenut-and-bolt fasteners 157 that extend through appropriate holestherein.

The above discussion is limited to the operation of one implement 200.Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that a plowframe can incorporate ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or perhaps fifty ormore such concurrently operating implements 200 to provide theconcurrent seeding and fertilizing of numerous furrows.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 35 in which there is seen anotherembodiment of an agricultural seeder implement 230 constructed andarranged in accordance with the principle of the invention. In commonwith implement 50, implement 200 shares seed boot 51, mount 60, andshield 150 discussed in detail above in the embodiment denoted generallyat 50, in addition to an alternate embodiment of a head denotedgenerally at 240. Head 240 is mounted on mount 60 as in implement 50.Head 240 and mount 60 form an alternate embodiment of an opener 231,when head 240 is mounted on leading end 64 of mount 60 in FIG. 35 in thesame way head 61 is mounted to leading end 64 of mount 60 discussedabove in connection with implement 50.

Referring in relevant part to FIGS. 35 and 36, head 240 is identical inevery respect to head 61 in that head 240 shares leading extremity 90including sides 100 and 101 and knife 110, trailing extremity 91, upperend 92, lower end 93, lower surface 93A, forward end 95, leading edge95A, slot 120, including the forward end thereof defined by forward endsurface 121 and the lower end thereof defined by lower end surface 122,leading bulk 130, lower bulk 132, and fertilizer tube 140.

In addition to fertilizer tube 140, head 240 further includes fertilizertube 250. Fertilizer tube 250 is elongate and includes inlet 251 forbeing connected to a source of a fertilizer, and an outlet 252.Fertilizer tube 220 extends from inlet 251 and through head 61 to outlet222. Fertilizer tube 250 is for guiding a stream of fertilizer frominlet 251 and through head 240 to outlet 252 for discharging the streamof fertilizer into the soil from head 240. The material of head 240 ismolded around fertilizer tubes 140 and 250.

Outlet 252 of fertilizer tube 250 is located at trailing extremity 91for discharging the stream of fertilizer outwardly from trailingextremity 91. In this embodiment, fertilizer tube 250 extends from inlet251 and downwardly through leading bulk 130 from upper end 92 to leadingextremity 90 like fertilizer tube 140, and in-turns rearwardly fromleading extremity 90 and into lower bulk 132 and extends through lowerbulk 132 along lower end 93 from leading extremity 90 to trailingextremity 91 of lower bulk 132 at lower end 93 of head 240.

In use, implement 230 is suspended from a shank by connecting bracket 66to the shank, and the shank is connected to a plow frame that is pulledor otherwise advanced by a tractor for pulling or otherwise advancingimplement 230 in the direction of arrowed line A in FIG. 35 at a chosendepth through the surface of the soil into which seeds are to be plantedleading with leading extremity 90 of head 61 that cuts a furrow in thesoil. Identically to implement 50, leading extremity 90 and knife 110cut into the soil to form the furrow when implement 200 is advancedleading extremity 90 first through the soil into which seeds are to beplanted, seeds are conventionally conveyed through seed boot 51 and intothe furrow through outlet 75 from seed boot 51 in the direction ofarrowed line B, and a chosen fertilizer is continuously conveyed from afertilizer hopper and into the furrow via fertilizer tube 140 asdiscussed previously. At the same time, in implement 230 a chosenfertilizer is continuously conveyed from a fertilizer hopper to inlet221 of fertilizer tube 220, which conveys the fertilizer from inlet 221and through head 61 and outwardly into the soil from trailing extremity91 of lower bulk 132 of head 240 through outlet 222 in the direction ofarrowed line D in FIG. 35 ahead of the seeds deposited into the furrowthrough outlet 75 trailing head 61 and behind the fertilizer depositedinto the furrow from leading extremity 90 via fertilizer tube 140.

Identically to implement 200, in implement 230 shield 150 is mounted onmount 60 above upper end 92 of head 211 in FIG. 35, and spans lengths Land L′ of the respective fertilizer tubes 140 and 250 above upper end 92of head 91 in front of handle 67 of mount 60 for protecting therespective lengths L and L′ of fertilizer tubes 140 and 250 in front ofhandle 61 from soil and rocks and agricultural crop during the describeduse of implement 230.

The above discussion is limited to the operation of one implement 230.Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that a plowframe can incorporate ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or perhaps fifty ormore such concurrently operating implements 230 to provide theconcurrent seeding and fertilizing of numerous furrows.

Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that variouscutting heads useful with agricultural seeder implements are disclosed,which each enable the cutting a furrow into the ground to be planted andthe concurrently application of fertilizer therefrom ahead of thedeposited seeds. Because the described connection of each cutting headto the mount of the agricultural seeder implement is a non-destructive,removable and impermanent connection, the skilled farmer may easilyconfigure and reconfigure an agricultural seeder implement with any ofthe exemplary cutting heads as needed for effecting a particularfertilizer application, i.e. the application of one or more chosenfertilizers, from the chosen head as disclosed herein without having tomodify or replace the mount or the seed boot of the agricultural seederimplement, in accordance with the principle of the invention.

The invention has been described above with reference to illustrativeembodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges and modifications may be made to the embodiments withoutdeparting from the nature and scope of the invention. Various changesand modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes ofillustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To theextent that such modifications and variations do not depart from thespirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within thescope thereof.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms asto enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same,the invention claimed is:

The invention claimed is:
 1. An agricultural implement for working soilacross which the agricultural implement travels or is towed, comprising:a mount; a head, the head includes a trailing extremity mounted on themount, a leading extremity, for cutting into soil ahead of the mount,having a first side and an opposed second side, and a knife, the knifeincludes a distal end and extends outwardly from one of the first sideand the second side of the leading extremity to the distal end; and afertilizer tube, the fertilizer tube includes a discharge end andextends through the head to the leading extremity and outturns to andextends through the knife from the leading extremity to the dischargeend at the distal end of the knife for discharging a stream offertilizer into the soil from the distal end of the knife.
 2. Theagricultural implement according to claim 1, further comprising ashield, mounted on the mount above the head that spans a length of thefertilizer tube above the head, the shield comprises a U-shaped memberincluding opposed side walls that extend outwardly from either side ofan end wall, the opposed side walls are connected to either side of themount and extend forwardly therefrom to the end wall forming a channelthough which the length of the fertilizer tube extends.
 3. Theagricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein the knife furtherincludes: an upper end, a lower end, a soil-cutting leading edge, and atrailing end; the soil-cutting leading edge extends from the one of thefirst side and the second side of the leading extremity to the outermostcorner of the distal end; the trailing end extends from the one of thefirst side and the second side of the leading extremity to theintermediate corner of the distal end of the knife; the distal end ofthe knife and the soil-cutting leading edge of the knife intersect atthe outermost corner; the distal end of the knife and the trailing endof the knife intersect at the intermediate corner; the lower end of theknife extends forwardly from the trailing end of the knife to thesoil-cutting leading edge of the knife; the upper end of the knifeextends forwardly and inclines downwardly from the trailing end of theknife to the soil-cutting leading edge of the knife; the knife enlargesfrom the soil-cutting leading edge to the trailing end from the one ofthe first side and the second side of the leading extremity to thedistal end, and the trailing end has an upright width that extends fromthe lower end of the knife to the upper end of the knife; theintermediate corner of the distal end of the knife is between theoutermost corner of the distal end of the knife and the one of the firstside and the second side of the leading extremity and extends from thelower end of the knife to the upper end of the knife; and the dischargeend of the fertilizer tube is between the lower end of the knife and theupper end of the knife at the intermediate corner between the outermostcorner of the knife and the one of the first side and the second side ofthe leading extremity where the distal end of the knife intersects thetrailing end of the knife, which enables the knife to shield thedischarge end of the fertilizer tube from oncoming soil and cropmaterial for preventing the discharge end of the fertilizer tube frombecoming clogged or blocked.
 4. The agricultural implement according toclaim 1, wherein the head further includes opposed upper and lower ends,a leading bulk that extends from the upper end to the leading extremityproximate to the lower end, and the fertilizer tube extends through theleading bulk from the upper end to the leading extremity.
 5. Theagricultural implement according to claim 3, wherein the knife is sweptback from the leading extremity.
 6. An agricultural implement forworking soil across which the agricultural implement travels or istowed, comprising: a mount; a head, the head includes a trailingextremity a leading extremity, a first knife, and a second knife; thetrailing extremity is mounted on the mount; the leading extremity is forcutting into soil ahead of the mount and includes a first side and anopposed second side; the first knife includes a first distal end andextends outwardly from the first side of the leading extremity to thefirst distal end; the second knife includes a second distal end andextends outwardly from the second side of the leading extremity to thesecond distal end; a first fertilizer tube, the first fertilizer tubeincludes a first discharge end and extends through the head to theleading extremity and outturns to and extends through the first knifefrom the leading extremity to the first discharge end at the firstdistal end of the first knife for discharging a first stream offertilizer into the soil from the first distal end of the first knifealong the first side of the leading extremity; and a second fertilizertube, the second fertilizer tube includes a second discharge end andextends through the head to the leading extremity and outturns to andextends through the second knife from the leading extremity to thesecond discharge end at the second distal end of the second knife fordischarging a second stream of fertilizer into the soil from the seconddistal end of the second knife along the second side of the leadingextremity.
 7. The agricultural implement according to claim 6, whereinthe head further includes opposed upper and lower ends, a leading bulkthat extends from the upper end to the leading extremity proximate tothe lower end, and the first and second fertilizer tubes extend throughthe leading bulk from the upper end to the leading extremity.
 8. Theagricultural implement according to claim 7, further comprising a shieldmounted on the mount above the upper end of the head that spans lengthsof the respective first and second fertilizer tubes above the upper endof the head, the shield comprises a U-shaped member including opposedside walls that extend outwardly from either side of an end wall, theopposed side walls are connected to either side of the mount and extendforwardly therefrom to the end wall forming a channel though which thelengths of the respective first fertilizer tube and the secondfertilizer tube extend.
 9. The agricultural implement according to claim6, wherein the first and second knives are swept back from the leadingextremity.
 10. The soil cutting head according to claim 6, wherein thefirst knife further includes: a first upper end, a first lower end, afirst soil-cutting leading edge, and a first trailing end; the firstsoil-cutting leading edge extends from the first side of the leadingextremity to the first outermost corner of the first distal end; thefirst trailing end extends from the first side of the leading extremityto the first intermediate corner of the first distal end of the firstknife; the first distal end of the first knife and the firstsoil-cutting leading edge of the first knife intersect at the firstoutermost corner; the first distal end of the first knife and the firsttrailing end of the first knife intersect at the first intermediatecorner; the first lower end of the first knife extends forwardly fromthe first trailing end of the first knife to the first soil-cuttingleading edge of the first knife; the first upper end of the first knifeextends forwardly and inclines downwardly from the first trailing end ofthe first knife to the first soil-cutting leading edge of the firstknife; the first knife enlarges from the first soil-cutting leading edgeto the first trailing end from the first side of the leading extremityto the first distal end, and the first trailing end has a first uprightwidth that extends from the first lower end of the first knife to thefirst upper end of the first knife; the first intermediate corner of thefirst distal end of the first knife is between the first outermostcorner of the first distal end of the first knife and the first side ofthe leading extremity and extends from the first lower end of the firstknife to the first upper end of the first knife; and the first dischargeend of the first fertilizer tube is between the first lower end of thefirst knife and the first upper end of the first knife at the firstintermediate corner between the first outermost corner of the firstknife and the first side of the leading extremity where the first distalend of the first knife intersects the first trailing end of the firstknife, which enables the first knife to shield the first discharge endof the first fertilizer tube from oncoming soil and crop material forpreventing the first discharge end of the first fertilizer tube frombecoming clogged or blocked.
 11. The soil cutting head according toclaim 10, wherein the second knife further includes: a second upper end,a second lower end, a second soil-cutting leading edge, and a secondtrailing end; the second soil-cutting leading edge extends from thesecond side of the leading extremity to the second outermost corner ofthe second distal end; the second trailing end extends from the secondside of the leading extremity to the second intermediate corner of thesecond distal end of the second knife; the second distal end of thesecond knife and the second soil-cutting leading edge of the secondknife intersect at the second outermost corner; the second distal end ofthe second knife and the second trailing end of the second knifeintersect at the second intermediate corner; the second lower end of thesecond knife extends forwardly from the second trailing end of thesecond knife to the second soil-cutting leading edge of the secondknife; the second upper end of the second knife extends forwardly andinclines downwardly from the second trailing end of the second knife tothe second soil-cutting leading edge of the second knife; the secondknife enlarges from the second soil-cutting leading edge to the secondtrailing end from the second side of the leading extremity to the seconddistal end, and the second trailing end has a second upright width thatextends from the second lower end of the second knife to the secondupper end of the second knife; the second intermediate corner of thesecond distal end of the second knife is between the second outermostcorner of the second distal end of the second knife and the second sideof the leading extremity and extends from the second lower end of thesecond knife to the second upper end of the second knife; and the seconddischarge end of the second fertilizer tube is between the second lowerend of the second knife and the second upper end of the second knife atthe second intermediate corner between the second outermost corner ofthe second knife and the second side of the leading extremity where thesecond distal end of the second knife intersects the second trailing endof the second knife, which enables the second knife to shield the seconddischarge end of the second fertilizer tube from oncoming soil and cropmaterial for preventing the second discharge end of the secondfertilizer tube from becoming clogged or blocked.
 12. An agriculturalimplement for working soil across which the agricultural implementtravels or is towed, comprising: a mount; a head, the head includes atrailing extremity mounted on the mount, and a leading extremity forcutting into soil ahead of the mount; a fertilizer tube, the fertilizertube includes a discharge end and extends through the head to thedischarge end for discharging a stream of fertilizer into the soil fromthe head; and a shield mounted on the mount above the head that spans alength of the fertilizer tube above the head, the shield comprises aU-shaped member including opposed side walls that extend outwardly fromeither side of an end wall, the opposed side walls are connected toeither side of the mount and extend forwardly therefrom to the end wallforming a channel though which the length of the fertilizer tubeextends.
 13. A soil cutting head for a mount of an agriculturalimplement, comprising: a head, the head includes a trailing extremityconfigured to be mounted on the mount of the agricultural implement, anda leading extremity for cutting into soil, the leading extremityincludes a first side and an opposed second side, and a knife, the knifeincludes a distal end and extends outwardly from one of the first sideand the second side of the leading extremity to the distal end; and afertilizer tube the fertilizer tube includes a discharge end and extendsthrough the head to the leading extremity and outturns to and extendsthrough the knife from the leading extremity to the discharge end at thedistal end of the knife for discharging a stream of fertilizer into thesoil from the distal end of the knife.
 14. The soil cutting headaccording to claim 13, wherein the knife further includes: an upper end,a lower end, a soil-cutting leading edge, and a trailing end; thesoil-cutting leading edge extends from the one of the first side and thesecond side of the leading extremity to the outermost corner of thedistal end; the trailing end extends from the one of the first side andthe second side of the leading extremity to the intermediate corner ofthe distal end of the knife; the distal end of the knife and thesoil-cutting leading edge of the knife intersect at the outermostcorner; the distal end of the knife and the trailing end of the knifeintersect at the intermediate corner; the lower end of the knife extendsforwardly from the trailing end of the knife to the soil-cutting leadingedge of the knife; the upper end of the knife extends forwardly andinclines downwardly from the trailing end of the knife to thesoil-cutting leading edge of the knife; the knife enlarges from thesoil-cutting leading edge to the trailing end from the one of the firstside and the second side of the leading extremity to the distal end, andthe trailing end has an upright width that extends from the lower end ofthe knife to the upper end of the knife; the intermediate corner of thedistal end of the knife is between the outermost corner of the distalend of the knife and the one of the first side and the second side ofthe leading extremity and extends from the lower end of the knife to theupper end of the knife; and the discharge end of the fertilizer tube isbetween the lower end of the knife and the upper end of the knife at theintermediate corner between the outermost corner of the knife and theone of the first side and the second side of the leading extremity wherethe distal end of the knife intersects the trailing end of the knife,which enables the knife to shield the discharge end of the fertilizertube from oncoming soil and crop material for preventing the dischargeend of the fertilizer tube from becoming clogged or blocked.
 15. Thesoil cutting head according to claim 14, wherein the head furtherincludes opposed upper and lower ends, a leading bulk that extends fromthe upper end to the leading extremity proximate to the lower end, andthe fertilizer tube extends through the leading bulk from the upper endto the leading extremity.
 16. The soil cutting head according to claim13, wherein the knife is swept back from the leading extremity.
 17. Asoil cutting head for a mount of an agricultural implement, comprising:a head, the head includes a trailing extremity, a leading extremity, afirst knife, and a second knife; the trailing extremity is configured tobe mounted on the mount of an agricultural implement; the leadingextremity is for cutting into soil ahead of the mount and includes afirst side and an opposed second side; the first knife includes a firstdistal end and extends outwardly from the first side of the leadingextremity to the first distal end; the second knife includes a seconddistal end and extends outwardly from the second side of the leadingextremity to the second distal end; a first fertilizer tube, the firstfertilizer tube includes a first discharge end and extends through thehead to the leading extremity and outturns to and extends through thefirst knife from the leading extremity to the first discharge end at thefirst distal end of the first knife for discharging a first stream offertilizer into the soil from the first distal end of the first knife;and a second fertilizer tube, the second fertilizer tube includes asecond discharge end and extends through the head to the leadingextremity and outturns to and extends through the second knife from theleading extremity to the second discharge end at the second distal endof the second knife for discharging a second stream of fertilizer intothe soil from the second distal end of the second knife.
 18. The soilcutting head according to claim 17, wherein the first and second knivesare swept back from the leading extremity.
 19. The soil cutting headaccording to claim 17, wherein the head further includes opposed upperand lower ends, a leading bulk that extends from the upper end to theleading extremity proximate to the lower end, and the first and secondfertilizer tubes extend through the leading bulk from the upper end tothe respective first and second knives of the leading extremity.
 20. Thesoil cutting head according to claim 17, wherein the first knife furtherincludes: a first upper end, a first lower end, a first soil-cuttingleading edge, and a first trailing end; the first soil-cutting leadingedge extends from the first side of the leading extremity to the firstoutermost corner of the first distal end; the first trailing end extendsfrom the first side of the leading extremity to the first intermediatecorner of the first distal end of the first knife; the first distal endof the first knife and the first soil-cutting leading edge of the firstknife intersect at the first outermost corner; the first distal end ofthe first knife and the first trailing end of the first knife intersectat the first intermediate corner; the first lower end of the first knifeextends forwardly from the first trailing end of the first knife to thefirst soil-cutting leading edge of the first knife; the first upper endof the first knife extends forwardly and inclines downwardly from thefirst trailing end of the first knife to the first soil-cutting leadingedge of the first knife; the first knife enlarges from the firstsoil-cutting leading edge to the first trailing end from the first sideof the leading extremity to the first distal end, and the first trailingend has a first upright width that extends from the first lower end ofthe first knife to the first upper end of the first knife; the firstintermediate corner of the first distal end of the first knife isbetween the first outermost corner of the first distal end of the firstknife and the first side of the leading extremity and extends from thefirst lower end of the first knife to the first upper end of the firstknife; and the first discharge end of the first fertilizer tube isbetween the first lower end of the first knife and the first upper endof the first knife at the first intermediate corner between the firstoutermost corner of the first knife and the first side of the leadingextremity where the first distal end of the first knife intersects thefirst trailing end of the first knife, which enables the first knife toshield the first discharge end of the first fertilizer tube fromoncoming soil and crop material for preventing the first discharge endof the first fertilizer tube from becoming clogged or blocked.
 21. Thesoil cutting head according to claim 20, wherein the second knifefurther includes: a second upper end, a second lower end, a secondsoil-cutting leading edge, and a second trailing end; the secondsoil-cutting leading edge extends from the second side of the leadingextremity to the second outermost corner of the second distal end; thesecond trailing end extends from the second side of the leadingextremity to the second intermediate corner of the second distal end ofthe second knife; the second distal end of the second knife and thesecond soil-cutting leading edge of the second knife intersect at thesecond outermost corner; the second distal end of the second knife andthe second trailing end of the second knife intersect at the secondintermediate corner; the second lower end of the second knife extendsforwardly from the second trailing end of the second knife to the secondsoil-cutting leading edge of the second knife; the second upper end ofthe second knife extends forwardly and inclines downwardly from thesecond trailing end of the second knife to the second soil-cuttingleading edge of the second knife; the second knife enlarges from thesecond soil-cutting leading edge to the second trailing end from thesecond side of the leading extremity to the second distal end, and thesecond trailing end has a second upright width that extends from thesecond lower end of the second knife to the second upper end of thesecond knife; the second intermediate corner of the second distal end ofthe second knife is between the second outermost corner of the seconddistal end of the second knife and the second side of the leadingextremity and extends from the second lower end of the second knife tothe second upper end of the second knife; and the second discharge endof the second fertilizer tube is between the second lower end of thesecond knife and the second upper end of the second knife at the secondintermediate corner between the second outermost corner of the secondknife and the second side of the leading extremity where the seconddistal end of the second knife intersects the second trailing end of thesecond knife, which enables the second knife to shield the seconddischarge end of the second fertilizer tube from oncoming soil and cropmaterial for preventing the second discharge end of the secondfertilizer tube from becoming clogged or blocked.